Grass Valley's Thursday Night Market debuts

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The Thursday Night Market is finally ready to be unleashed in downtown Grass Valley with its debut this week.

The market will take place from 5-8:30 p.m. July 11 through Sept. 26.

The market will feature eight local farmers, two out-of-area farmers to provide tree fruit, exhibits and activities.

Live entertainment will be performed on the market’s three stages. The kids zone will include activities by Gold Country Gymnastics, along with arts and crafts by Camille Calhoun at The Artist Workshop, and chefs’ hats will be provided during cooking demonstrations.

Local restaurants will provide demonstrations and recipes using produce from the market, including Christopher Lockhart from Christopher’s Deli, Steve Graham from the Owl Grill and Saloon, Rich Fuxjager from 151 Union Square and Carl Brenner and Theresa McGuire from Bear River Pasta.

“Everyone will be supporting local farmers to come down and continue to use downtown as a valuable market because we do bring in a lot of people from the community,” said Grass Valley Downtown Association Executive Director Julia Jordan.

The Thursday Night Market sets itself apart from other markets in its design and intent to include both local produce and entertainment, Jordan said.

“You can come for the produce and stay for the experience,” she said. “You have the live entertainment and cooking demonstrations and NEO, the kid’s farm town. You can sit out on the street at one of your favorite restaurants or grab a bite to eat and walk around and see the local crafters and artisans.”

The market will also involve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for EBT carriers.

“We will be able to help people so when they come up, they can get tokens and purchase produce,” Jordan said. “We are really trying to reach out to a wider demographic.”

Bear River Pasta even has a pre-made pasta that is considered to be an EBT-approved product, “which is awesome,” Jordan said.

Part of the kids activities will also include the Nevada County Magician’s Guild, balloon animals and food tastings.

“We kind of made an entire section based around a younger audience,” Jordan said.

“We want kids to learn at the same time about living and eating local and healthy. Just really understanding the concept of full circle.”

The GVDA booth will be at the corner of Mill and Main streets, rather than in front of the clock tower, to be closer to the farmers and assist with the SNAP program.

The market has been in the works for several months, with some changes to eliminate nonprofit booths and focus on local artists, artisans and produce.

Roads will be closed off from 4-10 p.m. for the event.

“It is absolutely exciting. We are totally ready for this,” Jordan said. “It’s going to be so much fun.”